Guidebook for Santa Monica

Cathy
Guidebook for Santa Monica

Food Scene

If you like fish, you'll love Water Grill. There's one in downtown LA, too, and they just opened the Santa Monica location not long ago. I'm so grateful! LOVE this place!
104 locals recommend
Water Grill
544 S Grand Ave
104 locals recommend
If you like fish, you'll love Water Grill. There's one in downtown LA, too, and they just opened the Santa Monica location not long ago. I'm so grateful! LOVE this place!
One of my favorite restaurants. Great for brunch or celebratory dinner. Lunch, too. Beautiful decor. Great food.
38 locals recommend
Ivy at the Shore
1535 Ocean Ave
38 locals recommend
One of my favorite restaurants. Great for brunch or celebratory dinner. Lunch, too. Beautiful decor. Great food.
Bar & restaurant. Spectacular ocean views. You must go here at sunset, sit by the huge windows, have a drink and watch the sun set over the Pacific. Live music.
76 locals recommend
Hotel Casa del Mar
1910 Ocean Way
76 locals recommend
Bar & restaurant. Spectacular ocean views. You must go here at sunset, sit by the huge windows, have a drink and watch the sun set over the Pacific. Live music.
Lovely and great restaurant. Go there for a really nice dinner. Brunch, too.
99 locals recommend
Shutters on the Beach
1 Pico Blvd
99 locals recommend
Lovely and great restaurant. Go there for a really nice dinner. Brunch, too.
Restaurant/Bar. Hamburgers, salads, etc. Basic and good! 15 minute walk from cottage and 5 minute drive.
55 locals recommend
The Galley
2442 Main St
55 locals recommend
Restaurant/Bar. Hamburgers, salads, etc. Basic and good! 15 minute walk from cottage and 5 minute drive.
Healthy, organic breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. 15 minute walk from cottage or 5 minute drive.
256 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main St
256 locals recommend
Healthy, organic breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. 15 minute walk from cottage or 5 minute drive.
Great restaurant/bar. Place is always hopping! 15 minute walk from cottage or 5 minute drive.
80 locals recommend
Brick + Mortar
2435 Main St
80 locals recommend
Great restaurant/bar. Place is always hopping! 15 minute walk from cottage or 5 minute drive.
Family owned Mexican restaurant in operation for decades. Great food and best guacamole you'll ever have -- they make it to order right at your table! 10 minute walk from cottage or 2 min drive.
119 locals recommend
La Cabaña
738 Rose Ave
119 locals recommend
Family owned Mexican restaurant in operation for decades. Great food and best guacamole you'll ever have -- they make it to order right at your table! 10 minute walk from cottage or 2 min drive.
Restaurant/Bar. Great food.
85 locals recommend
M Street Kitchen
2000 Main St
85 locals recommend
Restaurant/Bar. Great food.
Restaurant/Bar. Great food!
71 locals recommend
La Vecchia Cucina
2654 Main St
71 locals recommend
Restaurant/Bar. Great food!
Great food. Book in advance!
83 locals recommend
Tar & Roses
602 Santa Monica Boulevard
83 locals recommend
Great food. Book in advance!
Healthy, great organic food.
95 locals recommend
True Food Kitchen
395 Santa Monica Pl
95 locals recommend
Healthy, great organic food.
They don't take reservations, so best not to go at a busy time. A bit noisy but fun and great food!
199 locals recommend
The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
225 Santa Monica Blvd
199 locals recommend
They don't take reservations, so best not to go at a busy time. A bit noisy but fun and great food!

Shopping

Stores, restaurants, bars. The most happening, funky street in Venice. Check to see when the food trucks are there, and when the music festivals are happening.
225 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney BLVD Shopping
Navarre Court
225 locals recommend
Stores, restaurants, bars. The most happening, funky street in Venice. Check to see when the food trucks are there, and when the music festivals are happening.
Every store known to God or man. No cars. Extends from Broadway to Wilshire. Movie theaters, too. Restaurants. You name it. Best to ride your bike there or drive or take the blue bus on Lincoln.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street Promenade
1595 locals recommend
Every store known to God or man. No cars. Extends from Broadway to Wilshire. Movie theaters, too. Restaurants. You name it. Best to ride your bike there or drive or take the blue bus on Lincoln.
Upscale grocery store just a couple of blocks from the cottage. Stock your fridge!
108 locals recommend
Gelson's Market
2627 Lincoln Blvd
108 locals recommend
Upscale grocery store just a couple of blocks from the cottage. Stock your fridge!

Sightseeing

Don't miss the beautiful Venice canals in Venice. Only 5 minute drive or 10 minute bike ride. You'll think you're in Venice, Italy! Then go over to famous Abbot Kinney Blvd for lunch and shopping.
947 locals recommend
Venice Canals
947 locals recommend
Don't miss the beautiful Venice canals in Venice. Only 5 minute drive or 10 minute bike ride. You'll think you're in Venice, Italy! Then go over to famous Abbot Kinney Blvd for lunch and shopping.

Everything Else

Don't miss the Farmer's Market on Main St. in Santa Monica on Sundays, 10-2. 15 minute walk from cottage, 10 min bike ride, or 5 minute drive.
34 locals recommend
Santa Monica Wednesday Downtown Farmers Market
155-199 Arizona Ave
34 locals recommend
Don't miss the Farmer's Market on Main St. in Santa Monica on Sundays, 10-2. 15 minute walk from cottage, 10 min bike ride, or 5 minute drive.

Essentials

You can rent bikes here! Right by the cottage! Less expensive than renting at the beach.
Bicycle Ambulance
2212 Lincoln Blvd
You can rent bikes here! Right by the cottage! Less expensive than renting at the beach.
We all know Whole Foods. It's basically my second home! It's one of their flagship stores. Try the smoked counter with their smoked meats and poultry. Yum!
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln Blvd
1701 locals recommend
We all know Whole Foods. It's basically my second home! It's one of their flagship stores. Try the smoked counter with their smoked meats and poultry. Yum!

Arts & Culture

High up on a hill, parking below and you take a tram to get to the museum. Beautiful views, architecture, gardens, wonderful tours inside and out. Don't miss it!
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center Dr
2309 locals recommend
High up on a hill, parking below and you take a tram to get to the museum. Beautiful views, architecture, gardens, wonderful tours inside and out. Don't miss it!
883 locals recommend
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy
883 locals recommend
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd
3162 locals recommend

Drinks & Nightlife

Both a restaurant and bar. Hang out for the younger set at night. Always hopping!
152 locals recommend
R+D Kitchen
1323 Montana Ave
152 locals recommend
Both a restaurant and bar. Hang out for the younger set at night. Always hopping!